Combination acoustic ceiling panel and air diffuser



Au 17, 1965 L. w. BURNS ETAL 3,200,734

COMBINATION ACOUSTIC CEILING PANEL AND AIR DIFFUSER Filed May 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I VENTORS 65229! [4/ 131222 125" GeazgeKPa ider w 4 4,; A TTQORNEYS' Aug. 1965 w. BURNS ETAL 3,200,734

COMBINATION ACOUSTIC CEILING PANEL AND AIR DIFFUSER Filed May 8, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVENTORS Zeser Wfiarzza 6601396 ff. Raider United States Patent COMBINATION ACOUSTIC CEILING PANEL AND AIR DIFFUSER Lester W. Burns, Itasca, and George K. Raider, Chicago, 111., assignors to The Pyle-National Company, Chicago, 13]., a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 8, 1963, Ser. No. 278,894 6 Claims. (CI. 9840) This invention relates generally to ventilating apparatus and ventilating systems and more particularly relates to a combined acoustical panel unit and ventilating fixture whereby ventilating air may be handled and sound deadened in a single combined fixture.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a reinforced acoustical unit is provided wherein a lightweight, semi-rigid core comprising a honey-comb structure for strength and sound absorption is sandwiched between a reflecting plate and a plate forming diffusion passages. Means forming a plenum chamber are connected to the reflective plate and valve controlled passage means are provided so that a regulated and controlled flow of air may be directed through the unit for diffusion through the same passages through which sound waves are directed and in a direction for interception and reflec tion by the reflective surface.

Thus, the panel unit of the present invention may be used throughout an entire false ceiling structure and all of the panel units used only for sound deadening purposes may have sound absorbing material disposed between the cells of the honey-comb structure. Other of the panel units used for combined sound-deadening and air flow control may have the sound-deadening material removed from some of the cells and may have the reflective plate adapted to cooperate with the valve-regulated passage means. Moreover, the units can be used either for air supply or air return and in this connection, a flexible tube may be provided for directly connecting the unit to an air supply duct extending into the space behind the false ceiling, or if associated with a plenum chamber, in a ventilating system, the valve-regulated passage means may open directly into the plenum.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a combined acoustical-ventilating fixture which can be used for both sound-deadening and air regulation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an acoustical ceiling construction wherein selected panel units may be used for air regulation purposes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an acoustical ceiling capable of distributing air and wherein the ventilating system may be placed in balance for effective diffusion of ventilating air throughout the space being ventilated.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment of a combined fixture is shown by way of illustrative example.

mary air duct and others exemplify association with a plenum system;

3,200,734 Patented Aug. 17, 1965 FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line IIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts broken away and with parts shown in section to illustrate additional details of the panel unit;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of a panel unit adapted to function as an air-handling panel; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the unit illustrated in FIGURE 4.

As shown on the drawings:

Although the structure of the present invention is particularly adapted to be used in combination with the wall or a ceiling of a space to be ventilated, the exemplary disclosure described herein shows a false ceiling construction for an architectural structure wherein the normal ceiling is shown in FIGURE 1 at 10 and a false ceiling is shown generally at 11 and constitutes a plural ity of individual panel units which may function solely as acoustical panels, such as the panel units indicated at 12, or some of the panel units may function as air handling-acoustical fixtures, which units are shown generally at 13. It will be understood that the false ceiling may be suspended from the main ceiling 10 by any conventional suspension means, the details of which are not necessary to an understanding of the principles of the present invention.

Extending into a space 14 between the ceiling 10 and the false ceiling 11, is an air supply duct 16 having an inlet end 17 which is adapted to be connected to a suitable supply of ventilating air at increased pressure.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, it is contemplated that the ventilating system has air return features and to effect that end, the air return to the temperature conditioning means or ventilating source is connected to the space 14.

All of the panel units have common structural features which will be indicated by like reference numerals wherever possible. To adapt the modular type panels for air handling, some structural variation is made in the air handling units 13.

Each of the panel units includes a first plate member 18 having formed therein a plurality of diffusion passages 19 which may conveniently constitute perforations to render the surface of the plate member 18 foraminous. The plate member 18 may be molded, stamped, or otherwise produced from metal, plastic or any other suitable material, although for utilitarian purposes, it is desirable that the plate member 18 present a comparatively smooth surface capable of being cleaned and decorated since the surface thereof is presented to the space of the room in which sound-deadening is desired and which is to be ventilated.

In the form of the invention illustrated, the plate member 18 takes the configuration of a pan having upwardly offset edge flanges 20 at the ends thereof and reversely turned flanges 21 at the sides thereof to facilitate interconnection and support in the false ceiling 11.

Spaced from the plate member 18 is a second plate member 22 which functions as a reflective plate and which has a reflective surface 23 positioned behind the passages 19 with respect to sound which it is desired to deaden for reflecting the sound which passes through the perforated plate 18 and strikes the reflecting plate 22 back towards the perforated plate 18.

The reflecting plate 22 may conveniently comprise a pan-like member having downwardly offset flanges 24, the two plate members 18 and 22 being dimensioned to nest one within the other, thereby forming upper or lower (or first and second) spaced apart plate members.

A lightweight, semi-rigid core 26 comprising a honeycomb structure 27 is positioned between the plate members 18 and 22 and is secured to both.

Sound-deadening material may be placed in the individual cells of the honey-comb structure 27 to absorb the reversely turned diffused waves of sound which are reflected off of the surface 23.

In the panel units 12 which are adapted to function solely a acoustical panels, the entire reflective plate 22 can be made as a solid plate member, that is, with a continuous surface.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, it is contemplated to alter the structure of the reflective plate 22 in the manner illustrated in detail in FIGURES 2 and 3. In this connection, it will be noted that a center portion of the reflective plate 22 is provided with a plurality of passages shown at 28. The passages 23 may be in the form of perforations, thereby rendering a selected portion of the plate 22 foraminous. It will be understood that the passages 2s may either be disposed in a regular pattern of fixed dimension, or, if desired, the passages 28 may be disposed in an irregular pattern and somewhat at random. In any event, a selected portion of the plate 22 is selected, thereby providing a passage area shown generally at 30 and a solid end area as shown at 31. Further, an opening 32 is provided at opposite ends of the passage area 3t for the purpose of accommodating a latch ing mechanism.

Means forming a plenum chamber 33 are constituted by sheet metal means having end walls 34, side walls 36 and a top wall 37. The end walls 34 are flanged as at 38 and are spaced apart from one another to overlie the solid end sections 22, 22, thereby placing the passages 28 in communication with the interior of the plenum chamber 33.

The latching means are shown generally at 40 and each constitutes a bowed spring-like member 41 having a pair of hooks 42 which may be projected through a corresponding opening 32, thereby to underliethe edges of the opening 32 with opposite ends of the bowed springlike member it overlying the flange 3fla at 43 and overlying the solid portion 31 of the plate 22 as at 44.

The top wall 37 has an opening 46 formed therein which is surrounded by a gasket 47 and a valve fixture is connected thereto which takes the form of a cylindrical neck 48 flanged as at 49 and carrying a bracket in which is threaded an adjusting screw 51. Upon axial adjustment of the screw 51 in the bracket 5%, an actuator 52 adjusts the position of a pair of angularly related wings 53 and i 54- pivotedon a pin 55 and spring-biased, if desired, by a suitable torsion spring 55 so that adjustment of the wings or leaves 53 and 54 will control the effective throat size and hence regulate the quantity of air flowing through the fitting 48.

The upstanding portion of the fitting 48 has a reduced diameter section 57 which is embossed to provide an inwardly directed groove 58, thereby facilitating attachment thereto of a flexible tube or conduit 64). The flexible tube or conduit 60 may be attached to a suitable opening in the supply duct 16, thereby to carry a supply of ventilating air from a source at increased pressure for diffusion through the combined acoustical-ventilating unit. Thus, the quantum of air as regulated by the valve leaves 53 and 54 will be admitted into the plenum chamber 33 and will pass through the openings 28 into the area between the plate members 22 and 18, whereupon the air will be diffused through the passages 19 into the space being ventilated. Thus, the same fixture is used for both ventilating purposes and for sound-deadening purposes.

If the unit 13 is to be employed as an air return in a plenum installation, as contemplated in the exemplary form of FIGURE 1, then the unit as appearing on the right-hand of the figure can omit the flexible tube 60 and the space 14 functioning as a plenum will then receive air returned through the unit and passing upwardly through the fixture 43.

It will be appreciated that the supply and return arrangements could be reversed, in other words, by supplying air through the plenum 14 and by returning air through the duct 16.

If desired, the valve assembly, including the fixture 43, may be removable and in this connection rivets or other fasteners may be provided which are shown at 62. The flange 43 is then provided with keyhole slots 63 which cooperate with the heads on the rivets 62 so that the valve assembly may be locked in place by a small twisting action.

Although minor tructural modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a ventilating system, the combination with a wall or a ceiling of a space to be ventilated of an inner wall spaced interiorly of said wall or ceiling,

said inner Wall having an opening therein,

and an air control fixture in said opening comprising a rigid panel having first and second spaced plates,

said first plate being disposed in the plane of said inner wall and closing said opening, said first plate having a plurality of diffusion passages for diffusing waves of sound moving in a direction, said second plate having a reflective surface for reversely turning the diffused waves of sound, sound deadening means between said first and second plates to absorb the reversely turned Waves of sound, said second plate being coextensive in size with and spaced from said first plate in parallel disposition therewith to form a first plenum chamber, means forming with said rigid panel a second plenum chamber having a portion of said second plate as one wall thereof,

said second plate having a plurality of air passages formed in said portion of said second plate to form an air inlet into said first plenum chamber, said second plenum chamber having a valve-controlled opening therein for conducting air in controlled quantities to said air inlet, whereby the rate of flow of air through said fixture is determined by adjustment of said valve-controlled opening for simultaneous diffusion of air and deadening of sound in the same fixture.

2. In a ventilating system as defined in claim 1, said first plate being provided by a substantially flat perforated pan adapted to be exposed to sound which it is desired to deaden and said second plate being provided by a reflecting pan positioned behind the perforated pan but inverted with respect thereto.

3. A combination acoustical panel-ventilating fixture unit comprising,

a panel unit having spaced first and second plate members made of thin normally flexible sheet material,

- a lightweight semi-rigid core comprising a honeycomb structure made of sound-deadening mate rial and formed as'a layer of cellular material disposed between said first and second plate members and secured to both to add strength and rigidity to said panel unit,

said cellular material of said honeycomb structure having plural cells forming air passages extending therethrough between said first and second plate members,

said first plate member having passages formed therein through which sound waves and air are diffused, said second plate member having'a reflective surface behind the passages with respect to sound which it is desired to deaden for reflecting the sound which passes through the passages and strikes the reflective surface back towards said first plate member,

means forming a plenum chamber having an opening through which air flows,

means connecting said plenum chamber means to said second plate member,

said second plate member extending beyond said plenum chamber means and having air flow passages formed therein only at that portion of said second plate member which forms a wall of said plenum chamber, whereby air may be supplied and returned through said combination fixture unit while it is deadening sound.

4. A combination acoustical panel-ventilating fixture unit as defined in claim 25 and further characterized by said means connecting said plenum chamber means comprising a bowed spring-like member having a pair of hooks projected through a corresponding opening in said second plate member with the opposite ends of the bowed springlike member overlying adjoining portions of said plenum chamber means and said second plate member.

5. In combination with a wall or a ceiling of a space spaced interiorly of an inner wall or ceiling,

a plurality of panel units each having first and second plate members made of thin normally flexible sheet material,

a lightweight semi-rigid core made of sound-deadening cellular material formed as a layer disposed between said plate members and secured to both of said plate members to add strength and rigidity to said panel unit,

said cellular material having plural cells forming passages extending therethrough between said first and second plate members,

said first plate member facing the interior of the space and having passages formed therein through which sound waves and air are diffused,

said second plate member having a reflective surface behind the passages with respect to sound which it is desired to deaden for reflecting the sound which 5 passes through the passages and strikes the reflective surface back towards said first plate member,

some of said panel units functioning only as acoustical panels and being particularly characterized by having additional sound-deadening material in said cells of said honeycomb structure to assist in the sounddeadening function thereof,

others of said panel units functioning as air handling fixtures, which air handling fixtures are further characterized by means forming a plenum chamber having an opening through which air flows, means connecting said plenum chamber means to said second plate member of each corresponding air handling fixture,

said second plate member of each air handiing fixture extending beyond said plenum chamber and having air flow passages formed therein only at said plenum chamber, whereby air may be supplied or returned through said air handling fixtures while deadening sound.

6. In the combination of claim 5, said air handling fixtures being further characterized by an adjustable valve means in said opening of said plenum chamber means, thereby to selectively control the flow of air through individual panel units.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,587,884 3/52 Palmer 98-40 2,775,927 1/57 Wulle 98-40 2,845,854 8/58 Kurek 98-40 3,001,464 9/61 Moore 181-331 3,021,916 2/62 Kemp 181-33.1

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Acling Primary Examiner.

EDWARD I MICHAEL, ROBERT A. OLEARY,

Examiners. 

1. IN A VENTILATING SYSTEM, THE COMBINATION WITH A WALL OR A CEILING OF A SPACE TO BE VENTILATED OF AN INNER WALL SPACED INTERIORLY OF SAID WALL OR CEILING, SAID INNER WALL HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, AND AN AIR CONTROL FIXTURE IN SAID OPENING COMPRISING A RIGID PANEL HAVING FIRST AND SECOND SPACED PLATESE, SAID FIRST PLATE BEING DISPOSED IN THE PLANE OF SAID INNER WALL AND CLOSING SAID OPENING, SAID FIRST PLATE HAVING A PLURLAITY OF DIFFUSION PASSAGES FOR DIFFUSING WAVES OF SOUND MOVING IN A DIRECTION, SAID SECOND PLATE HAVING A REFLECTIVE SURFACE FOR REVERSELY TURNING THE DIFFUSED WAVES OF SOUND, SOUND DEADENING MEANS BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATES TO ABSORB THE REVERSELY TURNED WAVES OF SOUND, SAID SECOND PLATE BEING COEXTENSIVE IN SIZE WITH AND SPACED FROM SAID FIRST PLATE IN PARALLEL DISPOSITION THEREWITH TO FORM A FIRST PLENUM CHAMBER, MEANS FORMING WITH SAID RIGID PANEL A SECOND PLENUM CHAMBER HAVING A PORTION OF SAID SECOND PLATE AS ONE WALL THEREOF, SAID SECOND PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF AIR PASSAGES FORMED IN SAID PORTION OF SAID SECOND PLATE TO FORM AN AIR INLET INTO SAID FIRST PLENUM CHAMBER, SAID SECOND PLENUM CHAMBER HAVING A VALVE-CONTROLLED OPENING THEREIN FOR CONDUCTING AIR IN CONTROLLED QUANTITIES TO SAID AIR INLET, WHEREBY THE RATE OF FLOW OF AIR THROUGH SAID FIXTURE IN DETERMINED BY ADJUSTMENT OF SAID VALVE-CONTROLLED OPENING FOR SIMULTANEOUS DIFFUSION OF AIR AND DEADENING OF SOUND IN THE SAME FIXTURE. 